The Impact of Tourism on the Physical Landscape of Vang Vieng Town

Abstract

This article presents the results of a study on the impact of tourism on the physical landscape of Vang Vieng town. A mixed-method research methodology was used, including a quantitative research method by conducting a questionnaire survey, a qualitative research method by using in-depth interviews and observation, and an interpretation of satellite images. The study found that Vang Vieng is one of the main tourism towns in Lao PDR. It is located on the route between the capital city of Vientiane and the World Heritage Town of Luang Prabang. Tourism in Vang Vieng has been established only recently, but it has expanded rapidly and has brought many changes to the town. Tourism has influenced physical landscape changes in Vang Vieng, including changes in land use, urban edges, paths, and districts. Tourism has also brought about changes in characteristic dwellings and open spaces of the town.